No pitcher untradeable for Athletics

Look for the A’s to be a popular team at the winter meetings, which begin Monday in Dallas. They’ve got pitching depth and need bats and are willing to cut deals if it means strengthening the lineup.

I hooked up today with assistant GM David Forst, and he confirmed the A’s are trying to trade for hitters and are open to moving pitchers. I asked if anyone is untradeable. He said no.

“I wouldn’t rule anybody out,” Forst said.

We’ve already heard that starter Gio Gonzalez and closer Andrew Bailey could be moved. I asked specifically about Trevor Cahill.

“We’re very open,” said Forst, adding, “If we didn’t have the (pitching) depth, we wouldn’t have this option.”

While Fautino De Los Santos is possible closing material if Bailey is dealt, any number of pitchers could assume jobs in the rotatio. Plus, Dallas Brade is due back at some point in April but seems to be gunning for the season-opening roster, and Brett Anderson is due back by midseason, if not before.

That’s not to suggest the A’s will have a quick trigger in Dallas. The return for Gonzalez or Bailey or . . . pick your pitcher figures to be significant. Gonzalez won 31 games the past two years, and Bailey is a two-time All-Star.

The A’s need outfielders with David DeJesus signing for two years with the Cubs and Josh Willingham and Coco Crisp expected to go elsewhere. Trades are the preference over free agency for the A’s, who are on record saying they won’t heavily pursue free agents so long as Major League Baseball is undecided about their ballpark dilemma.